The deadline for firearms holders to have submitted their application form for renewal of their firearms licences is Friday.

Anyone who submits an application after that, or who fails to submit a renewal application, will be in unlawful possession of their firearms.

As such they are required to take their weapons, before April 1, to an authorised firearms dealer and notify the police of this, or take them directly to a police station for surrender.

Failure to do so will leave them liable for prosecution.